Feedback for Exemptions and Exclusions Under the Employment Standards Act

Pharmacist · Dec. 1, 2017

I work in a busy pharmacy doing almost 500 prescription per day which roughly accounts for checking 1 prescription per 2 minutes. Factor patients consultations and responding phone calls from patients and doctors together with flu shots during fall season in this time frame. We are indirectly putting patients at harm to reach this unrealistic goals which has become a norm in today's pharmacy business. We perform all this duties without any breaks throughout the 8 hour shift. Sometimes we are also required to close at midnight and reopen the store at 8 in the morning which gives less than 8 hours between shift to rest considering someone leaving within 30 min. drive from the work. Currently, if I am sick I am responsible to find a replacement for myself. If I could not find someone I have to cover the shift which again compromise patient safety.

I highly recommend giving pharmacist the same number of breaks during 8 hour shift as everyone else to be able to function efficiently. This also applies for weekends and long weekends. There should be a better system for sick days for pharmacist. Putting patient at risk for continuity of care is not a good balance.